Alternatively, you can convert your IRA into a "Self-Directed " IRA and buy investment real estate inside your SD IRA.

Have multiple funding options in the works because one might fail and you will need the back up to close on time.

You could use your own personal funds or cashflow from these to purchase the next units, but you would always have those paid off one's sitting there keeping you safe. 

I would also add with respect to Self-Directed account, Roth IRA/Solo 401k, with Roth Component.

Your biggest problem is your start up capital is way too low if you’re not willing to use hard money. 500k – 750k is a much more realistic amount of capital you would need to self-fund your own deals.

Since you were an athlete, going into the 9 to 5 will seem even worse, but if you don't have the capital now, the 9 to 5 is the best way to keep producing capital over the years to fund more and more until you can match or exceed your work income with investment income.

We opted for option 3 for the safest bet in a stagnating market and tight funds.

Maybe not.. or maybe the exit really is to just wrap them up and sell them as portfolios of rentals we do see that a lot one hedge fund selling to the new hedge fund on the block. 

If you win the bid, they let you and they raised the price up so you got screwed. yup I was a funding partner in one of those cabals  they went to auction with 5 to 10 mil every friday. 

The fund was advertised as a boring "preferred equity" fund that pays 10% a year (or something along those lines).